Pyrrolo-quinoline derivatives as potential antineoplastic drugs.

Some novel pyrrolo-quinoline derivatives have been synthesized as potential antineoplastic agents. They contain an angular aromatic tricyclic or tetracyclic system, to which the methanesulfon-anisidide side chain typical of amsacrine as such, or lacking the m-methoxy substituent, is connected. A methyl group can be present at position 7 of the pyrrolo-quinoline ring. The novel compounds exhibit interesting cell growth inhibitory properties when tested against the NCI panel of cell lines, in particular those obtained from solid tumors like CNS-, melanoma- and prostate-derived cells. The mechanism of cytotoxic action does not seem to be related to topoisomerase II poisoning ability. Most active proved to be compound 4a, which lacks both methyl and methoxy substituents, followed by 5a, having the methoxy group only. Biological activity is less pronounced in the tetracyclic family of derivatives 6 and 7.